Man pardoned by Trump is fatally shot by police days later

A man in the United States was shot and killed by a sheriff's deputy during a traffic stop, just days after being pardoned by President Donald Trump for a misdemeanor related to the 2021 Capitol riot. Matthew Hirtzel, 42, of Hobart, Indiana, was fatally shot by a Jasper County Sheriff's deputy on Sunday, according to police.

State police are investigating the incident. They stated that during the deputy's attempt to arrest Hirtzel, "a confrontation ensued between the suspect and the officer, resulting in the officer discharging his weapon, fatally wounding the suspect." State police added, "The investigation also revealed that the suspect was in possession of a firearm during the traffic stop." No further details have been released at this time.

Police have not stated what prompted the traffic stop. "We extend our condolences to the family of the deceased, and any loss of life is painful for those close to Mr. Hirtzel," said Sheriff Patrick Williamson. Nick Barnes, an attorney handling Hirtzel's pending motor vehicle case in Lake County, said he was unaware of the shooting. "I plan to learn more about it," Barnes stated.

In 2023, Hirtzel was sentenced to six months in prison after pleading guilty to entering a restricted building, the U.S. Capitol. He had traveled to Washington with his uncle to attend the pro-Trump rally on January 6, 2021. Hirtzel spent 16 minutes inside the Capitol and recorded it on video. "He was not a true believer in any political cause," defense attorney Andrew Hamer said in a court filing. "He went to the rally because he thought it would be a historic moment, and he had nothing else to do after getting out of jail for driving violations."